February 17, 2023

The Best Snorkeling in the World: Top 10 Places

The Best Snorkeling Places in the World

Snorkeling is something you can do in just about any water—you don’t have to travel far in order to enjoy this water activity. But by seeking out some of the best places to snorkel in the world, you can combine the joy of both travel and snorkeling to make for an epic trip.

While we can’t give you every single amazing snorkeling destination in the world, these sites are some of the best and most beautiful places for snorkeling that we’ve found. Use this as a guide to continue your travel and water adventures throughout the world.

Ilha Grande, Brazil

A popular weekend getaway for locals and visitors in Rio de Janeiro, Ilha Grande is a tropical retreat. Located an hour away from the main city, travelers can find beautiful white beaches, hiking trails, forests, and crystal clear water that is perfect for snorkeling.

Ilha Grande is a popular tourist destination and its rainforest is one of the most abundant and lush preserved ecosystems in the world. The biodiversity of this island has made it a refuge for some of the most endangered species in the world. It holds the largest amount of remaining populations for wildlife.

Ilha Grande Snorkeling

As far as snorkeling goes, there's a good reason why people make the trip from Rio de Janeiro to this beautiful island. There’s snorkeling opportunities off the beaches, through the capes, offshore wreck, and serene lagoons.

One of the most popular destinations to snorkel here is Lagoa Azul. This little spot has shallow water and is surrounded by forests. Snorkelers often catch a glimpse of large sea turtles as they swim throughout the waters.

One of the best ways to take advantage of the snorkeling on Ilha Grande is by a boat tour. They are offered by several different companies and will take you to different beaches and islands so that you can take in just how vast the marine biodiversity is.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia is probably the most well-known spot in the world to swim, snorkel, and dive. Famous for being the world’s largest coral reef system, it covers an area of approximately 133,000 square miles. Much of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park which limits tourism, fishing, and other activities.

Due to the ecology of the Great Barrier Reef, it is home to many endangered species—some endemic and found nowhere else in the world. Sea turtles make the voyage to the Reef to breed, saltwater crocodiles live in the salt marshes near the coast, and over 200 species of birds nest on the islands nearby. Most incredibly is the 1500 fish species that live on and within the reef.

Snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef

The extreme amount of marine life and the boundless ecosystem that comprises the Great Barrier Reef makes it one of the best snorkeling sites many will ever visit and is on the top of divers’ and snorkelers’ bucket lists. But the sheer vastness of the reef system can make it hard to choose which island or reef to visit and snorkel.

Like other hotspot top snorkeling destinations, many find it easier to charter boats and go on tours. Guided tours are some of the best ways to see all of the beauty you may miss if you go by yourself. Additionally, boat tours are the best way to help preserve the reef and the various sea life that live in and near it.

If you’re interested to learn about the Great Barrier Reef while snorkeling, take a marine biologist guided adventure. New to snorkeling? There are plenty of tours and opportunities to learn more about the marine environment while also learning the ropes. Advanced snorkelers can also find more adventurous experiences in areas with large drop-offs and longer distances in the water.

Komodo Island, Indonesia

Named for the endangered Komodo dragons that have been roaming the earth for approximately four million years, Komodo Island is one of over 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia. More interestingly, it’s one of the five islands in the world (all located in southeastern Indonesia) that these ancient lizards call home.

Komodo Island Snorkeling

At Komodo Island National Park, snorkelers will find hard and soft coral, a plethora of marine life, and currents ranging from low to high. Though the island is famous for its komodo dragons, the water makes it one of the top snorkeling destinations in the world. You can charter a boat—either your own or with a tour guide—and head to some of the best spots in the area, including Padar Island and Pink Beach.

The Big Island, Hawaii

The island of Hawaii—nicknamed The Big Island—is famous for surfing, diving, and snorkeling. The state of Hawaii consists of eight main islands, with Hawaii Island being the largest and most populous, though Maui and Oahu are major tourist destinations.

Two of the most active volcanoes in the world are on The Big Island. Eruptions have created hiking trails through volcanic craters, both deserts and rainforests, and biodiversity on a scale to to recognize Hawaii Volcanoes National Park as a World Biosphere site.

Snorkeling in Hawaii

Because the island is known for its water sports, competitively and recreationally, some of the best snorkeling in the world is found here. The east side of the Big Island has calm waters with high visibility that makes it the perfect spot for beginners. Guided tours are a big part of the tourist industry, which makes up 21% of the state’s entire economy.

One of the most memorable experiences you can have on Hawaii Island is swimming with manta rays. Sunset tours will take you to the Kona coast and let you dive or snorkel with these calm creatures. It’s a sight to behold to see the gentle manta rays swim beside you while the waters light up with bioluminescent plankton.

Local guides can take you on a chartered boat for more serious snorkeling. It’s important to have a guide who is familiar with the area to take you to the best spots and who also understands the weather and its changing patterns.

Kadhdoo Island, Maldives

Kadhdoo is an uninhabited part of the Haddhunmathi—also known as the Laamu—Atoll and part of the Maldives. An atoll forms a coral reef that is a product of a surrounding volcanic island. Kadhdoo is uninhabited but does have a domestic airport.

Snorkeling near Kadhdoo Island and the Maldives

Because the airport takes up most of the island, vacationers will stay on different islands and explore the area by boat or watercraft. This is an ideal place for snorkeling because of it being an atoll and housing so much coral reef. It’s a private area and popular amongst honeymooners, but also one of the best places to snorkel due to the rare sites that surround it.

Great Blue Hole, Belize

Belize is a Caribbean country that is home to the Great Blue Hole. Located on the northeastern coast of Central America, the official language is English and is a popular spot for English-speaking visitors.

One of the biggest attractions in Belize is the Great Blue Hole. The Great Blue Hole is a marine sinkhole descending to depths of over 400 feet. It’s about a three-hour boat ride from the mainland and tourists can charter boats to get to the site. There is plenty of coral reef that surrounds the hole and is home to marine life unique to this destination. However, the water is contrasted by the lighter turquoise shallower waters and the deep blue waters in the hole.

Snorkeling at the Great Blue Hole

This site is somewhere all snorkelers should be at the top of a snorkeler’s bucket list. Book a tour from one of the many charters offered and experience an Atoll like no other. You’ll head to the Lighthouse Reef Atoll where there is 1000-feet of circular coral reef. The Great Blue Hole is in the center. You’ll see stalactites among other natural formations and see colorful coral including sponges and fans.

Not only is the Great Blue Hole one of the top snorkeling destinations in the world, it’s also one of the top dive spots in Belize, as well. Divers come from all over to experience the deep waters and explore the marine life deep within the waters. Divers may be able to take advantage of the deeper waters, but snorkeling will still give you awe-inspiring views and a one-of-a-kind adventure.

Palawan, Philippines

Palawan Island is located north of the Philippines, vastly underdeveloped, and a hot vacation spot. There are over 1780 Palawan islands, but Palawan Island itself is full of wildlife, vast jungles, a white beaches. Palawan Island is protected by the Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park and is considered to be one of the most important ecological sites in the world.

Palawan Island Snorkeling

There’s no shortage of snorkeling sites on Palawan Island, like the wreck of Nanshin Maru. Divers can go deep into the wreckage but snorkelers can enjoy the spot as well. No matter where you go snorkeling throughout the island you’ll see healthy and colorful coral that is only a few steps away from the white sandy shores.

Another popular spot in Palawan is the Coral Garden. It’s a marine sanctuary that limits the amount of boats that are allowed at a time in order to protect the coral and the wildlife that lives within it. Snorkelers will see schools of fish flowing in and out of the reefs, especially clown fish who are housed in their safe anemone homes.

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Probably most famous for its endemic species, the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador is famous for Charle Darwin’s research and observations that contributed to the Natural Selection Evolutionary Theory. Most of the 25,000 inhabitants speak Spanish and there are 18 main islands within the volcanic island archipelago.

The islands are located on the equator but the Humboldt Current brings cold water and drizzling rain to the area for much of the year. Each island has its own precipitation and temperature average. The higher the altitude of the island, the colder and wetter it will be.

Snorkeling in the Galapagos

Underwater explorers can’t get enough of these Ecuadorian Islands, making it one of the ultimate snorkel destinations. There are volcanic calderas, sea turtles, fun-loving sealions, and some surprises that you may find yourself swimming next to. The Galapagos snorkeling destinations are no stranger to all sorts of creatures—you may even find yourself watching penguins hopping around on walks or diving throughout the crystal clear waters.

Throughout the different islands of the Archipelago there are many different snorkeling sites to discover. Some of the islands like Isabel are home to many sea lions who have fun swimming next to snorkelers. Take a cruise to another snorkeling site like Devil’s Crown—a sea crater— near the island of Floreana and swim with moray eels, groupers, and other kinds of fish. This site is for more experienced snorkelers due to current. Speak with tour guides about your experience level and they’ll be able to show you the right spots for your abilities.

Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands

Virgin Gorda is the third-largest island that makes up the British Virgin Islands. It’s a major tourist destination due to the geologic formation called “the Baths.” Granite boulders make up this area and have formed grottos facing the sea. The granite has eroded into smooth, rounded boulders that are a unique sight to see.

Tourists need to take a ferry or small airplane to get to Virgin Gorda, often from St. Thomas or Tortola. It’s known as the most beautiful island that makes up the British Virgin Islands and with hiking trails, nature sanctuaries, and the Baths, it’s easy to see why it has that distinction.

Snorkeling at Virgin Gorda

The shallow water on the island makes it an easy snorkeling experience. Easy doesn’t equal boring, though, and there are great sites to have an adventure. The Baths aren’t just an above-water attraction—the surrounding water is also filled with granite from thousands of years ago. The water is teeming with hidden spaces that fish swim and make home.

Some islands require a chartered boat, like the group of uninhabited islands known as ‘The Dogs.’ The Dogs is a popular site because visitors get to see the beautiful sights of the islands while on their boat excursion. Once the boat stops at its destination, snorkelers can jump in straight from the boat instead of walking into the water from the beach.

Island of Culebra, Puerto Rico

The Island of Culebra, or Isla Culebra, is part of the Spanish Virgin Islands, just under 20 miles east of the mainland. The island is regarded as one of the prettiest locations that make up the Spanish Virgin Islands because of its pristine beaches and crystal clear water.

Like many of the best snorkeling sites, Isla Culebra is an archipelago that has the main island and 23 other islands surrounding the coast. The large shoreline has a variety of coasts from cliffs to sandy beaches with coral reefs steps away.

Snorkeling at Isla Culebra

Isla Culebra is one of the best snorkeling spots in the world, surrounded by its 23 cays and vibrant underwater sites. The snorkel sites here are far enough from the mainland that the area is lightly developed and feels private and away from civilization.

This area is often considered the best snorkeling in Puerto Rico by visitors with the various cays and inlets, as well as the inviting and vibrant underwater life. The coral formations and abundance of sea life combined with the long shoreline can keep any snorkeler busy for days. Keep in mind that the weather changes fast on these islands so always check before you head out into the water.

Interested in scuba diving too? Check out our article about scuba diving in Puerto Rico.

Choosing the Best Snorkeling Gear

Unlike diving, snorkeling is easier to get into and there is less equipment needed. Many adventurers start out snorkeling and then ease into diving once they get more comfortable in open waters. You’ll find that there are a variety of snorkel designs, like the traditional open top snorkel or a semi-dry snorkel with a splash guard top. Just like diving, there is a variety of snorkeling gear to try out and see what works best for you. Interested in learning more about snorkeling? Our Snorkeling Gear List Guide will explain everything from top to bottom on what gear is right for you.